Dock & Pier Building on Wisconsin Lakes

A dock or pier should fit your shoreline and the way you actually use the water. There is no one-size dock that works on every lake, and there is no dock that works the same on a calm bay and an open reach. We plan the build around your specific shoreline before we set a single post.

Planning around water depth and bottom conditions. The first questions are about the water itself. How deep is it where the dock will sit, and how fast does it drop off? What is the lake bottom, firm sand, soft muck, gravel or rock? A dock on a soft bottom needs different support than one on firm ground. We read the bottom and the depth so the dock is stable underfoot and stable in a blow.

Planning around boat size and use. A dock for a fishing boat used on weekends is a different build than a dock for a pontoon and a ski boat used all summer. We plan the length, the width, the spacing and the load around the boats you keep and the way your family uses the waterfront. The goal is a dock that is easy to walk, easy to tie up to, and easy to live with for the whole season.

Permanent versus seasonal piers in a Wisconsin winter. On Southeast Wisconsin lakes, a permanent pier stays in the water year round and has to survive ice shove and freeze-thaw. A seasonal pier goes in for the season and comes out before the ice, which protects the structure but means install and removal each year. The right choice depends on your lake, your exposure to ice, and how you want to use the waterfront. We help you weigh it.

Permits and the rules that vary by lake. Here is the part many lake owners do not expect. Most piers that meet the state's standards do not need an individual permit. But the standards depend on the property and the lake, and the rules vary by lake and municipality. Some lakes and municipalities, including the Geneva Lake communities, have their own pier rules on top of the state rules. We plan the build around what applies on your water. For the full picture, read our Wisconsin shoreline permits guide.

From a simple residential pier to a longer commercial dock, we plan the layout, set the supports, and build for the conditions that come with Wisconsin lakes.